Effect of association of fresh cassava root with corn silage in replacement for cactus cladodes on dairy cow performance

Tropical Animal Health and Production - The aim of this study was to investigate the replacement effect of cactus cladodes with cassava root and corn silage (CRCS) (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%, dry...     

Genetic parameters for somatic cell count (SCC) and milk production traits of Guzerá cows using data normalized by different procedures

Tropical Animal Health and Production - This study aimed to estimate the genetic parameters for somatic cell count (SCC) and the genetic association between SCC and milk production traits using two...     

Genotype-environment interaction for productive traits of Holstein cows in Brazil described by reaction norms

Tropical Animal Health and Production - Brazil is the world’s fourth largest milk producer; this activity extends throughout the national territory, with productions of approximate 34 billion...     

A de novo mutation in KRT5 in a crossbred calf with epidermolysis bullosa simplex

A 6-day-old Belgian Blue-Holstein calf was referred because of a syndrome resembling epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS). The clinical phenotype included irregular and differently sized erosions and ulcerations spread over the body, in particular on the limbs and over bone prominences, as well as in the nasal planum and oral mucosa. Blisters were easily induced by rubbing the skin. The skin lesions displayed a clear dermal-epidermal separation at the level of the basal cell layer. Post mortem examination revealed erosions in the pharynx, proximal esophagus, and rumen. Whole-genome sequencing revealed a heterozygous disruptive in-frame deletion variant in KRT5 (c.534_536delCAA). Genotyping of both parents confirmed the variant as de novo mutation. Clinicopathological and genetic findings were consistent with the diagnosis of KRT5-related EBS providing the second example of a spontaneous mutation causing epidermolysis bullosa in cattle.     

Impact of soil types on sugarcane development monitored over time by remote sensing

Soil is one of the most important factors for agricultural production. In tropical regions, soil variability is considerable, with the most diverse combinations of physical and chemical characteristics, an influence factor in crop growth and productivity. In this research, the main objective was to identify how soil characteristics and parent material can influence sugarcane development over time using remote sensing. An area located in Sao Paulo, Brazil, of 182 ha (one point per ha with soil analysis), with high variability in the parent material and soil types, was selected. Images from the Sentinel2-MSI satellite were used to describe the spectral behavior of sugarcane over a period of one year. The NDRE (normalized difference red-edge index) was calculated for each image and then the leaf area index (LAI) was obtained from it. Maps of soil classes, soil properties at two depths (0–0.20 and 0.80–1.0 m), and parent material classes were related to sugarcane LAI variability over time. Production environment zones, which is a classification based on soil characteristics to support sugarcane development, were also obtained and related to LAI variability. Spectral signatures of the crop presented different behaviors through the season, soil types and soil attributes provided useful responses for this variability. At the beginning of the season, the surface and subsurface soil properties (texture and fertility) impacted differently on crop development. On the other hand, soil classes and parent material influenced LAI in all production environments studied. The results indicated that the soil types and their properties at different depths have a significant impact on sugarcane development. Furthermore, RS was able to monitor the plant evolution and be related to soil types which may assist in plant management. The results can bring light on how better sugarcane management can be conducted using remote sensing data and soils variability.

     

Food safety in raw milk production: risk factors associated to bacterial DNA contamination

While human illness from milkborne pathogens may be linked to contamination of the product after pasteurization or improper pasteurization, such diseases are usually associated with consumption of raw milk or its by-products. Molecular biology tools were applied to investigate contamination by Listeria monocytogenes, Salmonella spp., some pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, and Campylobacter jejuni in 548 raw milk samples from 125 dairy farms established in two regions from southern Brazil. Moreover, 15 variables were evaluated for their association with raw milk contamination levels, and the risk factors were determined by multiple regression analysis. Salmonella spp. were more frequently detected, followed by pathogenic E. coli. There was difference in contamination index between the regions, in which risk factors such as temporary cattle confinement, low milk production, low milking machine cleaning frequency, and milk storage area without tile walls were identified. The risk factors were specific to each region studied. Nevertheless, the data can be used to improve milk quality of dairy farms/herds with similar management practices.     

Assessment of the metabolic,protein, energy,and liver profiles of lambs finished in a feedlot and receiving diets containing groundnut cake

Forty-five crossbred Dorper × Santa Inês lambs were selected to assess the effect of replacing soybean meal by groundnut cake metabolic profile and histopathological evaluation of the kidney and liver tissues. The animals were 5 months old on average with a 24.5?±?5.3 kg initial body weight which were maintained fed in feedlot with groundnut cake (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 %) as the replacement for soybean meal. Confinement lasted 84 days, and on the last day, the animals were fasted and slaughtered. A completely randomized design with five treatments and nine repetitions was used. Blood samples were collected from the jugular vein of each animal to evaluate the metabolic, protein, energy, and liver profiles of lambs. No effect was observed on protein, energy, or enzymatic profiles, which remained within the normal range for sheep. A histopathological examination was performed, and no deleterious effects from groundnut cake were observed in the liver or kidney tissues. Groundnut cake as a replacement for soybean meal can be used as an alternative protein source up to 100 % because it does not affect the metabolic, protein, and energy profiles or the liver and kidney functions of the growing sheep for slaughter.     

Genetic parameters relating isoflavone and protein content in soybean seeds

Isoflavones are a class of compounds present in high amounts in soybean seeds, which can be used for prevention and treatment of several chronic diseases. Proteins present in soybean seeds are the basis for the high nutritional value and versatility of this leguminous species in animal and human feeding. The main goals of this work were to estimate heritabilities for isoflavone contents in soybean seeds and the correlation between isoflavone and protein contents. Commercial variety IAC-100 (high isoflavone and normal protein contents) and the line BARC-8 (low isoflavone and high protein contents) were crossed, and one single F₁ plant derived 97 F₂ seeds, which were used to obtain F₃ seeds. A sample of F₃ seeds from each F₂ plant was used for isoflavone determination by HPLC and protein by the Kjeldahl method. Six isoflavone forms were detected: daidzin, genistin, glycitin, malonyldaidzin, malonylgenistin and malonylglycitin. Total isoflavone contents ranged from 427.92 to 965.89 μg per gram of dry seed and the protein content ranged from 45.17 to 34.95% in BARC-8 and IAC-100, respectively. Our results indicate that it is possible to select for high isoflavone content in early breeding generations because the broad sense heritabilities for the contents of the various isoflavone forms were higher than 90%. In addition, high correlation values among the contents of the individual isoflavone forms were observed (between 0.80 and 0.98). However, negative correlation values were obtained between isoflavone and protein contents, ranging from −0.51 to −0.37 for the different isoflavone forms. The correlation value of −0.47 between total isoflavone and protein contents confirmed the negative correlation between these two parameters, as reported by other authors. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Genetic factors in type 2 diabetes: the end of the beginning?

The intensive search for genetic variants that predispose to type 2 diabetes was launched with optimism, but progress has been slower than was hoped. Even so, major advances have been made in the understanding of monogenic forms of the disease which together represent a substantial health burden, and a few common gene variants that influence susceptibility have now been unequivocally identified. Armed with a better understanding of the tools needed to detect such genes, it seems inevitable that the rate of progress will increase and the relevance of genetic information to the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diabetes will become increasingly tangible.     

Effects of 48-hour calf withdrawal on conception rates of Bos indicus cows and calf weaning weights in extensive production systems

Sixty multiparous Brahman-type cows were randomly selected in the early postpartum period and equally allocated into a calf removal group (RG) and a non-removal group (NRG). Calves from cows in the RG were removed for 48 h prior to the breeding season and returned afterwards, whereas in the NRG, calves remained with their dams until weaning. Weaning weights were corrected to 205?days. Conception rates (CRs) were 76?% for RG and 55?% for NRG but did not differ (p?>?0.05). CR was correlated with calving to breeding interval and body condition score at the onset of the breeding season. Product-limit survival curves vs breeding to conception interval differed significantly (p?相似文献